Voluntary health agency jump-starts Selvita’s SEL120 programme

The US-based voluntary health agency Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) will provide up to US$3.25m funding over four years, via its Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP). According to a news release in early August, the money helps to fund further SEL120 IND-enabling studies and a Phase I trial in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). With SEL120, Selvita has discovered a compound that targets the cyclin-dependent kinase 8 (CDK8) protein, which plays a unique and critical role in gene regulation. Laboratory studies have shown the agent to be effective in certain types of AML cells. SEL120’s mechanism of action (MOA) does not overlap with existing therapies. Selvita believes, it can develop highly effective combination therapies that may be required to provide long-term control of AML in patients. SEL120 has shown efficacy in treating AML cells both in vitro and in vivo. Selvita initiated first Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling studies for SEL120 in June 2017.

“LLS has developed a comprehensive approach to beat AML, which is one of the leukaemias associated with exceptionally high mortality rates. Moreover, very few effective agents are available to control AML, particularly in elderly individuals where the disease commonly occurs,” said Lee Greenberger, LLS’s Chief Scientific Officer. “LLS’s partnership with Selvita understates our commitment to accelerating cures for this deadly disease.”

Back in March 2017, the public company struck its first deal for a proprietary clinical-stage asset when candidate drug SEL24 was out-licensed to German-Italian Berlin-Chemie Menarini. The substance is by now already tested in a Phase I/II clinical trial. The indication is AML as well, but SEL24 and SEL120 have different MOA.

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